Hey guys. After researching many possible smartphones in the market right now, I am going to go with my first smartphone ever and possibly the best one right now (in my opinion): the Samsung Galaxy S2.
However, I live in the U.S. in which I do not think the SIM-capable unnerfed galaxy S2 will ever be coming out here.
Anyhow, I was hoping people who have bought the unlocked version of the S2 would be able to help me. My questions are as follows:
1) Which online vendor is the best place to buy an unlocked version of the S2? I have been researching many possible sites for the past few months. It seems NewEgg.com, Amazon.com, and Expansys-usa.com are most mentioned contenders. The question then becomes… which one to buy from? Who to trust? Anyone have experience in this arena?
2) From several reviews online, it seems people worldwide have been getting unlocked S2s with different starting languages/manuals. Are they all the same? Are there any fundamental differences in hardware or settings? If so, which one is best? It seems there are different versions with various configurations, such as with/without NFC. Hmm...
3) My main carrier in the U.S. is AT&T. What would I need to do to experience compatibility with this network? I would like to get HSPA+ (~ 4G speeds as claimed by AT&T, so to speak). Is there a special SIM from AT&T or tweaking within the phone I need to do to achieve this? Do I have to tell notify AT&T as well? What do I need to do to ensure compatibility with that network & the speeds I would like to achieve?
Phew. That is all. Thank you!!!!
As far as I know, the international version of i9100 is quad-brand 3G which matches AT&T. You can get 1 on amazon for around $700 USD
OR
you can get a LOCKED i9100m from Bell or Virgin Canada, then unlock it. This phone is 599.99 in Canada.
Isn't the Bell version CDMA-only? Does it offer SIM?
Anyhow, I'll try my hands on an international unlocked version. Now, the question still remains... which one to buy from? Amazon.com has many resellers. NewEgg and Expansys-USA are single resellers, but I would probably have to ask where they get theirs from.
Are there any differences in getting it via from the UK, Korea, India, etc? I would also need an adapter that can be plugged in the US.
Ok there lots of information if you used search feature
Cheapest place to buy currently is www.expansys-usa.com, you get it for 658.99 and you get additional $10 off with lsjuly10 voucher.
You get hspa+ speeds with att and you can also use $15 unlimited non smartphone plan with sgs2.
Search around and you can find lots of info on this. Hope this helps
Edit : just to answer your other question, you get us adapter along with the phone from expansys, amazon. You might mostly get a phone with uk firmware but it shouldn't really matter. Once you get the phone you can flash whatever firmware you want thru odin.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Thank you very much for the coupon!!!
Searching around, it seems like Expansys-USA might be the best bang for the buck to purchase the unlocked version.
I also tried e-mailing NewEgg.com and some Amazon.com vendors. NewEgg.com said their S2 was "made in China." Hmm. I am unsure if it means it is a Chinese version. One vendor from Amazon.com said it was "unsure of where the device came from."
I'm assuming since there's an Expansys-UK, the Expansys-USA may be coming from UK. Is the UK version good? I guess UK (since it's in English) would be best for me...
I've also heard some versions do not have NFC. Does the UK version have NFC or working NFC in the states?
Just get the bell one from canada and save yourself some money, its full hspa+ , meaning it will work with att 3g in the states. If you buy the european ones you'll likely pay upwards of 800$ I'm thinking...
Are the Bell ones unlocked? Where would I be able to find one? Any online resellers that are selling them? I thought the Bell ones were CDMA-only? Or do they also have SIM-card capabilities?
Driving up to Canada and purchasing one is not too feasible for me.
Alazarin said:
Are the Bell ones unlocked? Where would I be able to find one? Any online resellers that are selling them? I thought the Bell ones were CDMA-only? Or do they also have SIM-card capabilities?
Driving up to Canada and purchasing one is not too feasible for me.
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The bell ones are locked. Can be easly unlocked. They are sim ones. I using the one i bought with bell on telus
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Alazarin said:
Are the Bell ones unlocked? Where would I be able to find one? Any online resellers that are selling them? I thought the Bell ones were CDMA-only? Or do they also have SIM-card capabilities?
Driving up to Canada and purchasing one is not too feasible for me.
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Nope, bell has been ditching its CDMA network for well over a year... All their new phones are gsm. Well not just driving up I'm saying ordering online from canada would probably even be cheaper than buying a european phone, and they are the same phone, no nfc, same model.
I`m living in UK and I bought my SGS2 1 month ago from ebay. was sealed and is factory unlocked. It`s 100% original, not a fake. As far as I now if is factory unlocked it`s working in USA on At&t H+ speed, and you don`t need to unlock. If you want you can order from UK or wait when will be release in USA. Hope this help. Good luck!
unleashed12 said:
Nope, bell has been ditching its CDMA network for well over a year... All their new phones are gsm. Well not just driving up I'm saying ordering online from canada would probably even be cheaper than buying a european phone, and they are the same phone, no nfc, same model.
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Do you have any recommendations to reliable online Canadian resellers?
The hard part is that I'm still deciding whether to buy from Expansys-USA (cheaper), Clove (great reviews + most reliable), or from an online Canadian reseller (could be even cheaper + more reliable since I live in the U.S.?). My main criteria is that:
I would like to buy the phone that was made in Korea, but for the UK/CA market (thus, factory sealed) and comes with a US adapter (not add-on). That seems to be the best one, but I am unsure which one would provide that.
Related
Hi guys,This is my first post here, this is an excellent forum, keep up the good work2! I am living in the UAE where it looks like the SGS2 wont see the light of day till Q3 2011, I cant wait till then so I am looking at my options. I am not very comfortable with ordering it online from sites like Expansys or Handtec, so would prefer getting it from a physical store.
I will be visiting South Korea very soon and have heard that the SGS2 is already on sale there. My questions are:
1) Are the Korean models (sold exclusively through the carriers I hear) fully unlocked?
2) I will be going to study in Manchester for the next two years, so would like to use the SGS2 there. Seeing that S Korea, UK (and the UAE) use the same GSM and 3G bands - 900/1800 and 3G 2100, I understand its possible but are there any other problems that could crop up? I cant find any specs online for the Korean SGS2.
Thank you!
[EDIT]
Guess noone knows or must be thinking that I didnt search before starting a new thread. Thanks to those who did help! Found the answer from a variety of sources, just listing here in case anyone needs it:
The Korean SGS2 are not quad-band, and are physically thicker due to the inclusion of NFC and a TV tuner. Some carriers have different (non global) MMS standards as well. I have been informed that they are probably locked as well and available on contract to locals only. Also the Indian SGS2 has NFC and costs just 675$ to 700$, guess I will just get it from India!
I will tell you what i know.(it is not 100 sure.)
You are correct that there are three different models of SGS2 in korea.
If you want to use the phone in UK,
You should buy SHW-250K( from KT, one of the service provider)
it meets the mms standard of other countries.
Once again this information is not sure.
I need someone's confirmation for this.
Thanks.
If you're going in on a standard tourist visa then you will NOT be able to buy a phone, even outright. Phones are only available to locals and people on long term visas.
Yeah, get it from India.
Hey there,
I am currently considering buying a Galaxy S II off eBay here in Australia and i was wondering what I should and shouldn't be looking for.
My main concern is that if I get Hong Kong/International stock then it may have differences (OS or Hardware) to the ones you can buy locally. Is there a way I could check to see where the handsets come from based on a model number or anything? and is anyone using an eBay bought SII to list the differences to local stock?
Thanks in advance,
DarkRyoushii
I bought mine off ebay ages ago, was listed as Australian stock...so if you are worried about overseas models just use the advanced search and choose only located in AU...then if it is not stated in the description just ask the seller if its aussie stock...though in most cases ones from overseas work just fine and I don't believe there are any differences (both local and overseas stock are international versions, besides the I9100T for telstra)
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Thanks, there's a massive price difference between Australian ($700) and Unmentioned ($550) stock though so if possible I'd just love to make sure it won't turn up in some unheard of language with no way to change it, the wrong bands, restrictions (I know NTT Docomo limit text messages to 160 characters) on the OS or something like that.
so the I9100 stock is all the same with no variations? I thought there were different letters at the end to signify which region they were made for..
Thanks again,
DarkRyoushii
hmm well I got mine for $600...I'm pretty certain they are the international version...as long as it states I9100 and nothing else, it should be fine...also some sellers (eBay shops usually), provide 1 year warranties as well..
EDIT: there is an Australian stock on eBay now for 600 + 15 postage...if you're really that worried I'd recommend you just save yourself the worrying... I'm sure you could message the seller and negotiate for free shipping or something...
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That's true Thanks for your help! +1 Thanks to you!
Your biggest concern with ebay is getting scammed, rather than getting a weirdo off-spec unit. As others say make sure it says I9100, and specs make sense (eg. 1.2 dual exynos, 4.3" screen, etc.) If you ended up with a qualcomm unit by accident (and wanted exynos...or vice versa) and your seller is legit they would have to accept return for product not as advertised.
Hi all,
I'm looking for a successor to my N1, and either the Galaxy Nexus or the SGS2 will probably be it.
I'm on T-Mobile, on a grandfathered T-Zones plan. It's nice, I'd like to keep it if possible. Getting the T-mob branded SGS2 will require an upgrade of my data plan (IMEIs are logged). Not the biggest deal, but $5.99/month for unlimited data is not going to ever happen again.
From what I've read, the Telus Canadian SGS2x is compatible with the T-Mob bands, at 4g, and the IMEIs are not registered with T-Mob US.
4g speeds are actually not that big a deal for me. But having at least 3G is!
1. Haven't been able to find the SGS2X anywhere respectable. Maybe a few craigslist-like sites in Canada. Anyone know of other retailers?
2. Alternate international versions of the SGS2 which would have the 1700/2100 AWS band?
3. Similar to the Nexus S, is the IMEI info in a EFS folder, which can be accidentally deleted?
Try www.kijiji.ca plenty of telus sgs2 phones there.
Thanks, it does have some for sale, but the site is basically a Canadian craig's list, full of sellers wanting to meet face to face, in Canada! Which is just 1 state north of me, but still!
I'm thinking of something more like expansys USA, or some other reseller.
waylo said:
Thanks, it does have some for sale, but the site is basically a Canadian craig's list, full of sellers wanting to meet face to face, in Canada! Which is just 1 state north of me, but still!
I'm thinking of something more like expansys USA, or some other reseller.
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go here:
http://www.basatne.com/Samsung-Galaxy-S-II-X-16GB-T989-Black-p/sam-t989-16gb-blk.htm
He sells them on ebay too but more expensive. But you can read his feedback from ebay... seems fine. I got the phone and have tzones (not from him) well worth it!
Would I be able to buy an unlocked Note in the US, in person or via the web/Amazon etc..., and use it in Vancouver BC on the Telus network?
Just trying to save myself a buck or 2 and I hear they are going pretty cheap on Amazon right now. If I were to buy one up here I'm looking at $600 min....
Yes, but buy the international version. Then you just have to upload some different firmware and all is good...
Why buy the international version? You could buy the lte version, all you need to do is just get a company to send you an unlock code for the phone... Tbh, the lte offers more frequencies to use. Unless you're a flash junkie, and want various versions of roms then the international is the one you're gonna want.
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I have been buying the AT&T versions for years now, extending my contract term and trying the NEXT plan. But with the bigger carriers locking the software down I want to buy an international version, but I'm unsure where to get one.
interesting, I was looking at us version of Samsung site and realize they do not sell latest smartphones provider free and unlocked;
you have to try the Canada site, looks like up north here, we can buy Samsung phones unlocked, even the newest ones
There are a number of sites that deal with overseas international phones. You can also find them on Amazon.com quite easily. Here is one http://welectronics.com/gsm/SAMSUNGSMPHONES.shtml take note they are selling a 32GB & 64GB only version, not sure if they can't get the 128GB option, or it will come later.
Order Directly from Samsung or Use eBay Amazon Walmart Best buy or this super place swappa.com
Buying an international version sounds like a good idea.
biggstkk said:
I have been buying the AT&T versions for years now, extending my contract term and trying the NEXT plan. But with the bigger carriers locking the software down I want to buy an international version, but I'm unsure where to get one.
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I'm in the same boat. Just need to make sure the international version will support AT&T's LTE bands. If they do, I'll be going this route as well.
Try GSM Nation. Thet have the unlocked and at&t compatible version. Pre-Ordered mine.
Do not even try Canada. Yes we have stuff that work on pretty much all GSM carriers, but never can you buy an unlocked phone unless it's Google, Chinese made or bought overpriced on Sony's website. Samsung Nevers sells unlocked here. Got to use typical methods
Canada is not really international per se, Its networks are set up almost if not identical to those in the US, hence almost all devices are identical to those available in the US market.
There are however, few retailers that sells international versions of devices here in Canada. NCIX.com and Expansys Canada are the first 2 that come to mind. Its just a little more tougher to find as some retailers either don't post the complete information or don't even know their own inventory as some may carry the international versions without even knowing it.
Any other suggestions?
Buy an unbranded one off eBay.